3-17-'10-5M. 



LOCAL TAX 



CONDITIONS BEFORE LOCAL TAX 



CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX 



ILLUSTRATIONS THAT ILLUSTRATE 



WHAT LOCAL TAX MEANS 



AS SHOWN BY THE 



TESTIMONY OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS 



MARCH, 1910 



ISSUED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE 

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 

RALEIGH 









A WORD OF EXPLANATION. 



It is the purpose of this bulletin to show the practical results in 
some of our school rlistricts since local tax has been voted. 

What is true of the districts reported here is also true in a greater 
or less degree of all of the 005 districts scattered throughout the 
ninety-one counties of the State which have local-tax districts in 
them. 

The more money our people invest in their schools, the more in- 
terest and concern they have for the schools. 

What local tax has done for these districts it v\ill do for those that 
have not yet voted a local tax for their schools. 

The best investment a community can make is that money spent 
for the education of all of its children. 



THREEFOLD INCREASE IN EN ROLLMENT— SCHOOL TERMS 
MORE THAN DOUBLED. 

Hoffman District, No. 3, Beaver Dam Township. Richmond County, 
voted special tax of 30 cents. September, 1907. The school had only 
one teacher, with an annual enrollment of a about 30 up to that 
time, and a term of only four months. This year the enrollment has 
reached 100. Three teachers ai-e kept busy, and the term is seven 
months. The school has a piano and music is taught. 

Prospect District, No. 2, Beaver Dam Township, voted a special 
tax of 80 cents, November, 1907. Up to that time a four months' 
term at a salary of $2.5 or $30 per month was all the neighborhood 
could afford. Now it has a $50 teacher employed for nine months. 
The school has a library, a supplemental library, and an organ. 

Other districts have followed the example of these two, and special 
tax for schools is becoming more popular all over the couTity. 
Very truly, _^ „ „ 

W. R. COPPEDGE, 

County Supt., Richmond Conniy. 



a OF D. 

«^AY 6 1910 






K' DOUBLED VALUE OF LAND— NO TROUBLE TO SECURE 
^V' TENANTS. 

^j Five years ago, when Districts Nos. 6, 7 and 8, iu Kittrell Town- 
ship, consolidated and voted a tax of 20 cents on the Inmdred dollars, 
the school property of the consolidated district was $175 ; the census 
was 170, the enrollment 95, the average 55, the term 17 weeks ; number 
of teachers, 3 ; salary of teachers, $30 per month, each. To-day the 
school property is worth $3,400 ; census, 198 ; enrollment, 212 ; average, 
158 ; term, 28 weeks ; teachers, 7. Salary of teacher, per month, 
average, $40. Land that went begging at $10 per acre cannot now 
be bought for $20 per acre. No land for sale in the district and no 
trouble to get tenants. j ^_ Kittrell, 

County Siipt., Vance County. 



ONE $25 TEACHER— ONE-ROOM DILAPIDATED HOUSE— NOW 
THREE TEACHERS AND A $2,000 HOUSE. 

The election was held in Roseboro District May 21, 1907. Before 

the adoption of the tax the school was kept in an old, dilapidated, 

unceiled, one-room building. Teacher's salary for the last year under 

the old system. $25 ; enrollment, 49 ; average attendance, 31. Now 

we have a splendid three-room building, worth, including site and 

equipment, not less than $2,000. We have three excellent teachers, 

at a total salary of $125 per month. The session this year will be 

seven months. The monthly report of the principal for January, 

1909, shows the following : Enrollment, 160 ; average attendance, 130. 

Very truly yours, ^ _ _ ,. 

•^ '' '' ' L. L. Matthews, 

Coimty Bupt., Sampson County. 



EVERY CHILD ENROLLED— THE ENTIRE DISTRICT 
REVOLUTIONIZED. 

During the scholastic year ending June 30, 1907, before local tax 
was voted in District No. 5, Edwards Township, Wilkes County, the 
length of the school term was 74 days ; monthly salary of the teacher, 
$30; number of teachers, one; census, 66; enrollment, 54; average 
daily -attendance, 40 ; valuation of school property, nothing, as the 
school was taught in a building owned by private individuals. 

The statistics for the year ending June 30, 1909, are as follows: 
Length of term, 8.4 months ; number of teachers, three ; monthly 
salaries paid teachers, $126 ; census. 111 ; enrollment, 111 ; average 
daily attendance, 71 ; valuation of school property, $1,500. This 





ILLUSTRATION OF OLD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 




ILLUSTRATION OF CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX. 



building has three rooms (in addition to the cloalv rooms), is painted, 
has a bell and is furnished with patent desks. The library has been 
enlarged ; maps, pictures, etc., put in, the grounds sown in grass and 
flower seeds, and everything seems to be taking on new life. In a 
word, local tax has revolutionized the district. 

Very truly, ^^ ^_ ^^^^^^^ 

County Siopt., Wilkes County. 



FROM FOUR-MONTHS TO TEN-MONTHS TERM— FROM $100 
to NEARLY $1,200. 

In 1900, District No. 2, Boon Station, received from the county for 
school purposes $116; the teacher was paid $27— for four months, 
$108; incidentals, $8; average attendance, 21. The house had one 
room. In 1907 a local tax was voted and the house enlarged, and 
now has three rooms. In 1908 the school opened with three teachers. 
Apportionment from the county, $458.70; local taxes, $730.04; prin- 
cipal is paid $40 per month; the two assistants, each $35 — $70; 
term, 10 months ; average attendance, 76 scholars. 

W. S. Long, 
Ex-County Supt., Alamance County. 



MONEY WORSE THAN WASTED BEFORE— NOW STUDENTS 
ARE PREPARED TO ENTER COLLEGE. 

Before a special tax was voted to supplement the public-school fund 
in Swannanoa District, Swannanoa Township, Buncombe County, it 
was the general opinion of the people of the community that the 
money apportioned to the district was wasted, or even worse than 
wasted, because the services of a teacher who could manage the wo^ 
successfully could not be secured. Since the tax has been voted we 
have been able to secure the services of a man as principal who is 
able to control the school to the satisfaction of all concerned. He 
and his assistant have done a very efficient work for three years. 
As a result of his work the whole school has been well organized, 
thorough work has been done in all the grades, and one class is now 
prepared to enter some college and will receive high-school diplomas 
at the close of the present school term. Those who were in bitter 
opposition to the tax are now its ardent advocates. 

Respectfully, a. G. Reykolds, 

County Supt., BuncoinT}e County. 




ILI.rSTRATIOX OF OLD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 




ILLUSTRATION OF CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX. 



COMPLETE CHANGE OF SCHOOL ATMOSPHERE AND ATTI- 
TUDE OF THE PEOPLE TOWARD THE SCHOOL— 
AN ILLUSTRATION THAT ILLUSTRATES. 

In the spring of 1906 a campaign for a special tax was begun in 
No. 2, Holly Springs. The tax was so bitterly opposed that dissen- 
sions arose and tbe election lost by a large majority. We did not 
cease our efforts, however, and in less than one year from that date 
we had raised funds — one-half by popular subscription — for the erec- 
tion of a $7,200 building and carried an election for special tax with 
little opposition. 

Below I give some data relative to the progress of the school under 
special taxation. I quote figures for 1905-'06, the year prior to the 
opening of the campaign, and for the two years since the election. 

(^ Average No. No. 

Le7isub. Attendance. Days. Teachers. 

1905-'06 112 47 108 2 

1907-'0S 130 88 150 3 

1908-'09 123 102 160 5 

Yours very truly, Zeb. V. Judd, 

County Stipt., Wake County. 



TWO WEAK DISTRICTS MADE INTO ONE STRONG ONE- 
BEST TEACHERS EMPLOYED. 

The greatest benefit from local tax in Randolph has been derived, 
perhaps, in the Coleridge School District. In May, 1908, two small 
districts were consolidated and a local tax of 20 cents on the $100 
valuation of property and 60 cents on the poll was voted. Before 
this time two small schools had been maintained on opposite sides of 
Deep River. The records show that only about 30 per cent of the 
children on the census were in school. The houses were small, the 
surroundings unattractive, the salaries barely $25 a month, and the 
teaching very unsatisfactory. Since the consolidation of these two 
districts and the local-tax levy a new house has been built in the 
central part of the larger district at a cost of $3,000. Instead of 
the two schools of one teacher each, there is now one school of three 
good teachers. The salaries are sufficient now to get the best teach- 
ers we have ; the school is properly graded and runs six months in 
the year. Instead of an enrollment of barely 30 per cent of the cen- 
sus, the principal now reports an enrollment of over 80 per cent. 
The people are contemplating an extra tax of 10 cents on the $100 
and 30 cents on the poll to provide the funds to support a public 
high school. To advocate a repeal of the tax in this district would 
make a man verj^ unpopular with the people. 

Very truly yours, _ ^ ^ 

E. J. COLTRANE, 

County Siipt.. Randolph Count}/. 





ILLUSTRATION OF OLD CONDITION'S IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



10 



PUPILS PREPARED FOR COLLEGE— EIGHT AND NINE 
MONTHS' SCHOOL. 

In 1!)0G the ijeopk of Princeton District voted a local school tax. 
The new building is one of the best in the countj' and cost at first 
$.3,156.95. The district was enlarged and embraces much of the 
country around. Now, with the local tax and annual apportionment 
combined, the school fund is above $1,400. The school has an excel- 
lent corps of teachers and can continue S or 9 months in the year. 
Here they have fine classes in the higher grades. Pupils are pre- 
pared for college, for teaching and for the duties of life. The school 
is open to all the 268 pupils of the district, rich and poor alike, and 
is a credit to that part of the county. 

What has been said of Princeton may be said of most towns and 
villages of the county. Within the past eight years 19 local-tax dis- 
tricts have been established. Now 3,500 white children of the county 
can be well educated at home in high-grade schools. 

Very truly, t n /-. 

.J. P. Canaday, 

Coinitu Sitpt., Johnston County. 



LAND INCREASES FROM $30 PER ACRE TO $150 PER ACRE- 
CHILDREN WALKED 3 1-2 MILES AND PAID TUITION 
TO SECURE BENEFITS OF THE SCHOOL. 

The district before local tax was voted had a one-room school 
building fairly well equipped, situated on a half-acre lot. The school 
term was only four months and only one teacher was employed. 

After voting the tax a nice two-acre lot was purchased for $100, 
and on this site was erected a three-room school building. Two of 
the rooms were equipped for schoolrooms. The other one was left 
for future use. Two teachers were employed at a salary of $75 per 
mon,th for a term of six months. Interest in the school began to 
grow. The people began to feel a pride in their school. The next 
year two teachers were employed at a salary of $105 a month 
for a term of six months. Interest in the school still increased. 
Another acre of ground, costing $100, was added to the school lot 
from the local-tax funds. The ground was leveled, trees and flowers 
planted, and a bordering hedge started. The people began to boast of 
their school's being the best one in the county. A number of appli- 
cations from parties living on farms adjoining the district lines 
came before the board and asked that their farms be made a part 
of this district. Several children living outside of the district 
walked .314 or more miles and paid tuition in order to get the ad- 
vantage of this school. It is not a question now as to who is within 
this local-tax district, liut it is, who is so unfortunate as to be- 
without. 



11 




ILLUSTRATION OF OLD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 




ILLUSTRATION OF CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX. 



12 



This year two teachers are agaiu employed for the same length of 
term at a salary of $105 per month. The people are behind the school 
and it is getting along well. The extra room in the building has this 
year been utilized as a debating hall. Weekly debates are held. 
The school children and the patrons participate in these debates. 

A new macadam road forty feet wide has been opened through 
this territory, and farm values have gone up by leaps and bounds. 
The land that was purchased four years ago at $.30 per acre, could 
not be bought to-day for $150 per acre. 

Very truly, C. E. Boger, 

County Stipt.. Cabarrus Count if. 



FROM LOG SCHOOLHOUSE TO MODERN SCHOOL BUILDING, 
TWO TEACHERS, PIANO, ETC. 

District No. 10, Marion Township, voted local tax three years ago. 
The school census in this district is 83. The school building in this 
district, before voting local tax, was a small, unceiled, unweather- 
boarded, log house, about 16x24. The last school in the old build- 
ing made an average attendance of 16. The citizens of the com- 
munity took little or no interest in the school, and whatever efforts 
were put forth by the teachers to enthuse the people met with failure. 
Local tax was voted ; a new two-room house, 32 x 56, was erected. 
The people of the community at once became interested and from 
the time local tax was voted the interest has not lagged. This build- 
ing has been, by the efforts of the citizens of the community, fur- 
nished with a rural library, pictures for both rooms, patent desks 
and a piano. The avei'age attendance for the school term just 
closed was 47. The length of school term is 140 days as against 77 
days before local tax was voted. Two teachers are employed in this 

school. Very truly. ^ ^ ^ 

•^' D. F. Giles, 

Countii Supt., McDowell Count)/. 



FROM ONE-ROOM HOUSE TO HANDSOME BRICK BUILDING; 

FROM 40 PUPILS TO 165; FROM ONE TEACHER 

TO THREE TEACHERS. 

Previous to 1907 East Kings Mountain had a one-room school 
building, employed one teacher and enrolled about 40 pupils. In the 
spring of 1907 a special school tax was voted, resulting in the erec- 
tion of a handsome brick building, the employment of three teachers 
and an enrollment of 165 pupils. 

Very truly, F. P. Hall, 

County Supt., Gaston County. 



13 






ILLUSTRATION OF OLD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 




ILLUSTRATION OF CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX. 



14 



EIGHT MONTHS' SCHOOL— THE PRIDE OF THE COM- 
MUNITY—A NEW $2,000 HOUSE. 

In 1907 District No. 1. McNeill Township, had four mouths of 
school in a small house seated with clumsy wooden desks. The 
teacher was paid a salary of $31.77 per month. Local tax was 
A-oted, and now the school is open for eight months, the teacher's 
salary has increased to $40 per month, and a beautiful new building, 
seated with double separate patent desks, has just been completed 
at a cost of more than $2,000. 

This school is the pride of every one in the community and an 

inspiration to the passer-bv. -,- * ht t 

' ^ • John A. McLeod, 

County Supt., Moore County. 



PLACES SCHOOL ON SURE FOU NDATION— OPERATION OF 
SCHOOL IS ASSURED. 

Six years ago District No. 4, Fallstown Township. Iredell County, 
known as the Troutman's School, voted a special tax of 30 cents on 
the $100 valuation and 90 cents on the poll. Some efforts had been 
made previous to that time to build up a good school, and while, at 
times, a successful school would be maintained for a term or so, it 
did not rest on a permanent basis. When a change of teachers was 
necessary it generally meant a complete breakdown for a year or 
more, or until some one else could be induced to take up the work. 
For several years nothing but a four months' public school with one 
or two teachers was undertaken. 

Since the local tax has been available, thus guaranteeing the sup- 
port of the school from a financial standpoint, the operation of the 
school has been more satisfactory, and a change in the facultj^ does 
not hurt the progress of the school. Everything is put on a surer 
foundation. The operation of the school is assured. The patrons 
know that they are not to be deprived of school facilities, even for 
one session, on account of some denominational or local trouble in 
the control of the school. 

The local tax, together with the county appropriation, generally 
provides for seven or eight months of school with three teachers. The 
building has three recitation rooms, one of which has patent desks. 

Since the local tax has been voted the village has taken on a new 

growth, quite a number of new residences being built every year. 

The value of real estate has also advanced rapidly. 

Very truly, ^ _ „, 

L. O. White, 

County Supt., Iredell County. 



15 






ILLUSTRATION OF OLD CONDITIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA. 




ILLUSTRATION OF CONDITIONS SINCE LOCAL TAX. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



16 021 324 257 2 



FROM $50 HOUSE TO $3,000 HOUSE— ENROLLMENT 
DOUBLED. 

Before the adoption of local taxation Evergreen District Lad a 
one-room building, IS x 30, valued at $50. One teacher was employed 
at a salary of $30 a month, for four months. The enrollment was 
50 and the daily average attendance was 30. Here is how things 
stand under local taxation. There has been erected a large five- 
room building which is nicely painted and furnished with patent 
desks and hyloplate blackboard. A piano has been purchased and 
music is regularly taught. The school has both an original and a 
supplementary library. Three teachers are employed at a salary of 
$135 a month. The term is from six to seven months. The enroll- 
ment is over 100 and the daily average attendance 75. The school 
now owns two acres of land and the total value of the school prop- 
erty is $3,000. This is what local taxation has done for this school 

in five years. Very truly yours, „ ^ „. 

' F. T. WooTEjy, 

County Supt., Columbus County. 



LAND INCREASED 50 PER CENT; SCHOOL ENROLLMENT 
INCREASED 100 PER CENT. 

The Dover School in Craven voted local tax for school in 1905. 
Before local tax school had a small frame building with two rooms 
and two teachers, and a four months' term of school. Now have a 
term of 8% months, with four teachers and a large two-story brick 
school building containing four recitation rooms on first floor and 
auditoriimi on second floor seating one thousand. Building is 
equipped with modern desks and appliances. Cost of building and 
equipment, $6,000. It is a first-grade high school and does excellent 
work. 

Taxable property has increased 25 per cent since local tax. Popu- 
lation has increased 25 per cent since local tax. School enrollment 
has increased 100 per cent since local tax. 

Farm lands adjacent to town have increased 50 per cent since local 
tax. A large lumber enterprise and a prosperous bank have been 
established and a new church building erected. The town is now 
preparing to build a modern municipal building. 

The district in 1905 voted a local tax for the support of the 
school by unanimous vote, no citizen opposing it. 

United and loyal support has been given the school since its estab- 
lishment, and the property of the town is in large measure attrib- 
utable to the splendid work of the school and its reputation for thor- 
o^Shn^^^. S j^j brinson, 

County Supt., Craven County. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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021 324 267 2 



HoUinger Corp. 



